The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-09-24

Tor the night, when from our rear came
a volley as il from regiment, which
our horses and threw us in
to the greatest confusion in that dark.
ness. In addition to Spencer carbine
was carrying q Tranier repeater,
through the ring OF which at the butt
was passed stout cord, aud this was
passed around my neck and tied.
was thrown from my horse, who sud
denly wheeled at the discharge of the
volley, but In falling the cord caught
around the the horn Of the saddle, and,
the pistol being secured to my waist, l
was dragged along, nearly erect, by
the frightened animal In his needless
flight.
81 was not unmindful OF the flying
bullets, but was much more concern.
ed about regaining control of my horse
In that dire confusion. I finally grasp
ed the reius, which had fortunately
left over the horn of the saddle, and
soon had my flying steed under res
traint. now found myself alone in
the darkness, and knew not what
direction my company had taken.
There were plenty of soldiers about,
but could recognize neither man nor
horse nor could recognize any Of
the many voices heard. had taken
refuge behind a tree, In order to make
observations safely and to get my reck-
coming. Yon can hardly imagine the
sense of goneness I felt, only hoping
and praying that 1 would be undis-
covered aud left alone, and thus finally
escape capture. l did escape, but by .
bit Of strategy SO unexpected and 30
clever withal that I sometimes laugh
when thinking of It now, serious as l
was then.
81 could conceal myself, but not my
horse, and to let him 60 was not to be
thought of. Seeing 10y horse, an OH.
Ger rode up to me, and with an oath,
fercely ordered me to fall into line. /
did not know the man, but as we'll
from the habit Of obedience, probably,
as from necessity, obeyed the COM
mand and fell into ranks with lot of
men who were forming not far from
me. was dressed about the same as
they were, wearing Yankee overcoat,
which, however, had been dyed black,
the color making little difference in
the dark. did not recognize q man
in the line, whereas ] knew every man
as a brother belonging to our COM
pany.
eve remained drawn up several
minutes, when to my utter discomflt-
ure, as apprehended, the bugle soud-
ed the charge. The line instantly
sprang forward, and Yankees though
I now knew they were. 'lit' out with
| them.
"What they we're going to charge OF
| In what direction hadn't the remOt-
eat idea. had enlisted for that
charge 60 where they might, at the
suggestion Of my wits, which In this
trying dilemma and under an alien
flag had said, odd fellow, now Is your
chance lead the charger This de-
termlned to do as soon as thought of,
and did outcharge the whole line!
1 sometimes wonder what those Van.
KEGS thought Of my reckfessness !;
W neither they thought was killed or
wounded, or fell headlong into one of
the numerous lime pits which are to
be found all through that part of Ten
nessee. held my course dead ahead,
companions In arms, l suddenly be-
thought me OF the enemy, now again
my friends, l was charging solitary
| huu hlOuc, i've AuuAeco unShH8 uueouy
halted.
81 had heard ia answer to the YAM
kee bugie charge the answering charge
of my brother, who was bugler tor
our company, and SO had an idea of
their location. Whilo waiting for
further knowledge on that point, and
now deep In the woods and ia a state
of the greatest uncertainty, heard a
voice hallOing: 20, Lieut.. Watkins!
the Same who is now associate JUS
tice Of our Supreme Court. Proceed
ing cautiously In tho direction of the
response, aud taking care to make N.Y.
self known as approached, it was not
long before i rejoined my company,
which found huddled together In a
corntietd several, Of the men not yet
having got In, though all were In camp
next morning. My brief service uu-
der the Federal flag, was now at an
end, and SO Is my story, but l might
IA we'll finish telling tho remaining
events Of that night, to mo forever
memorable.
81 apprised Lieut.. Watkins of what
l had seen and learned while with the
enemy, and cautioned him against the
attack which he was preparing to make
on them, rs they greatly outnumbered
his little band, now counting only
twenty men, The movement was
abandoned, hut there was work ahead
We sat our horses in silence AS the ene>
my Eve had gained their rear) filed
| along the pike past us in the direction
IF their main fnrpe From their req r